Who are they and what do they do? The welding operator ‘s work consists of connecting metal parts by using various welding procedures. Welders may specialise in certain types of welding.
What are the activities of the job? Preparation of the surfaces for welding, levelling, fixing and other treatment of the metal to be welded, adjustment and setting of welding equipment, resistance welding at spot, seam and contact sets and welding presses, cutting metal materials with oxygen, plasma and laser cutting (manually and on cutting machines), welding, brazing and soldering of parts and various constructions made of metal and metal alloys by electric arc or gas fired welding sets by various processes, weld finishing, cleaning and quality testing.
Where is it done and under what conditions? The welding operator job is carried out as part of a wide variety of activities on building sites, workshops, factory and power plants and in agricultural or shipbuilding businesses. Exposure to chemical substances, often combined with the effects of dust and noise, sparks, various flame types, etc., must be taken into account. Welders will usually wear some form of protective clothing and may sometimes need to use breathing apparatus.
What tools/equipment do they use? Typically welding equipment (incl. automated units), presses, handling devices, (robots), oxygen & other gas cylinders and their own hands.
What do you need to succeed? You need a welder’s training course or apprenticeship and to have passed the relevant examination, ability to concentrate totally for several minutes at a time, technical awareness, reliability, good eyesight and fast reactions.